There is a shortage of butchers in the trade and as a result Booker, the UK's leading food & drink wholesaler, has trained over 40 colleagues, over the last 12 months, to start a career in butchery. All of the colleagues have previously held other positions within branches and with further development can potentially progress to future Butchery Managers of the future.
The local butchery service is an important part of Booker's catering offering. The roll out of this training scheme will continue to enhance and improve Booker's commitment to providing a personal service as well as allowing an improved butchery counter at evenings and weekends.
"Booker's in branch butchery is a unique service relied upon by thousand of our customers every day," said Ron Hickey, Sales Director – Catering. "Booker has developed a complete training programme specially designed to fill this skill gap and ensure each branch has an experienced butcher. Due to the success of the initiative and interest generated from colleagues, we are currently planning further courses starting in September."
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The course covers all essential and necessary skills to start a career within butchery
- The course is monitored and measured in a set, agreed criteria on key competencies such as stock taking, cutting meat for the counter and customer service
- Colleagues are encourages to cover the course at their own pace, however it takes an average of 12 months to complete
Caption
New butchery colleagues, in white coats with (l-r) Peter Wright, Fresh Foods Skills Development Manager, Andrew Thompson, Director of Trading – Catering, Ron Hickey, Sales Director – Catering, Andrew Muldoon, Stores Director, Charles Wilson, Chief Executive, Alan Brett-Pitt, Category Manager - Meat